Gourmet Food and Wine evening

Menu

Selection of Artisan Breads

served with oils and dips

Open Ravioli of North Atlantic Monkfish

served in a light saffron bisque with sea vegetables

Slow Braised Ox Cheek with roasted Bone Marrow

crumb served with crispy herbed potato terrine,

confit carrot and a wild garlic and parsley puree

Coffee and chocolate liqueurs

(veg option available)

Woodstock History – The Collett Family

Nestled amongst towering gums in a pristine corner of McLaren Vale, Woodstock Wine Estate has been home to the Collett family for three generations. Family-owned and operated, the team at Woodstock have been committed to capturing the essence of McLaren Vale since 1973. Our property is home to some of the region's oldest vines, including Shiraz plantings which date back to the early 1900s.

Woodstock founder Doug Collett played an instrumental role in the growth of the Australian table wine industry, championing South Australian growers and winemakers alike and was recognised for his contribution to the industry with an Order of Australia medal in 1985. Inspired by his time flying over the expansive vineyards of France and Italy as a Spitfire pilot in WW2, Doug returned to Australia with a vision that would help transform the industry which at that time was still primarily focused on the production of fortified wines.

The groundwork laid by Doug, elevated to new heights by his son Scott, is now the legacy of the third generation of Collett family winemakers - Peter and Max Collett, who are continuing to honour the fine wine heritage at Woodstock by making wines that Doug would be proud of.

McLaren Vale Custodianship

Woodstock’s founding father, Doug Collett, travelled all over Australian wine regions before settling in South Australia and establishing Woodstock in the stunning McLaren Vale region, due to its unspoilt nature flanked by coastline and foothills. Doug set out to produce wine in harmony with the natural environment, embracing the enormous native trees in the estate by planting and building around them.

Subsequent generations of the Collett family have continued this respect for the natural environment in our area, becoming a pillar for the Woodstock brand and how we operate. We consider ourselves the current custodians of an incredible corner of this region and strive to produce wines with minimal impact on the environment.

This care extends to native animals too, with Scott Collett establishing a Wildlife Rescue Sanctuary at Woodstock over ten years ago, where we care for kangaroos, emus and wallabies who have been rescued from accidents in the area. Our towering gums are also often home to wild koalas, who stop by to feed from and sleep in their favourite Eucalypts.

Where It All Begins – Our Vineyards

Woodstock Wine Estate is located just outside the township of McLaren Vale, where we tend to very old, frugal but magical vines including Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache and newer plantings including Montepulciano, Mataro and Riesling. Recognised as one of the most geologically diverse wine regions in the world, McLaren Vale boasts a huge array of soil types, elevations and microclimates. Our property straddles a distinct district named Blewitt Springs, renowned for undulating sand dunes and cooling ocean breezes which produce concentrated berry flavours, rich middle palates and notes of spice.

Woodstock is home to some of McLaren Vale’s oldest grape vines – including our ‘The Stocks’ Shiraz vineyard from which we harvest fruit for our flagship Shiraz which is reserved due to its particular varietal expression and intensity - a glass of pure McLaren Vale!

Much of our vineyard care is still by hand, including pruning and bunch thinning. Our connection to the land, the vines and the fruit means that much of our vineyard wisdom has been passed down from father to son and learnt via experience – for example, we know our old vine Shiraz must have two leaf layers between the bunch and the sun for protection and even ripening. Most of our vines are dry grown, which results in lower yields of small fruit with intense concentration of flavour.

Woodstock Wines – McLaren Vale in a Glass

Woodstock wines are sourced from our vineyards on the Estate, which lies between McLaren Flat and Blewitt Springs, east of the town of McLaren Vale. Our winemaking team Scott and Peter Collett’s close proximity and deep understanding of these vineyards over many years maintains strict quality benchmarks of maximum flavour and intensity for which the Woodstock Estate is known.

Honouring the winemaking legacy established by Doug, grown by Scott and now continued by Peter, Woodstock wines represent a considered approach from grape to glass and reflect our unique regional terroir.

Woodstock has enjoyed a strong reputation for making Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon since 1973. Situated in the higher and cooler end of McLaren Vale, our family estate is the perfect home for these fuller bodied varieties. Warm, sunny days with cool evening gully and sea breezes ensure the fruit ripens well and retains its natural acidity and full-bodied style.

In general, Woodstock wines are renowned for their generosity of flavour, rich middle palate and well-integrated oak influence with respect for varietal characteristics. While known primarily for premium full bodied styles of Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon, our winemaking over time has grown to include lesser-known varieties including Grenache and Montepulciano, which are well suited to our Mediterranean climate.

Our Varietal Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz demonstrate consistent qualities such as;

· Fruit-driven

· Structured, elegant tannins

· Long and rich palates

· Beautiful balance between complexity and body